The International Gay Bowling Organization (IGBO) represents over 5000 lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) members from Australia, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, United Kingdom and United States. The organization was established in 1980 to provide a collaborative sporting group within the LGBT community. The organization embraces the "ideals of Unity, Fellowship and Communication". By 2019, the group had more than 8,000 members.

History LGBT sports leagues began emerging in the United States in the 1970s, primarily as a social outlet for men and women who wished to fraternize with other homosexual amateur athletes in a non-bar atmosphere.

In 1989, the national tournament was held in Cincinnati, Ohio, and featured 770 competitors. Stand-up comedian Judy Tenuta performed during the first night of the event.

Over the past 30 years, the IGBO has dealt with topical issues such as increasing participation by women, memorializing members who have succumbed to AIDS, raising funds for charitable organizations and the ongoing pursuit of increasing membership worldwide.

Structure IGBO is a membership-based organization of member leagues, tournaments and individuals (associates). Leagues and tournaments join IGBO to network and promote their events across the organization. Individuals can become a part of IGBO by joining a member league or individually as an associate member.

IGBO conducts business through a board of elected volunteers and a series of committees. Twice annually, in November and May, IGBO conducts a conference to gather representatives from member leagues and tournaments and conduct business.

Host cities for past conferences

Host city Annual Conference Mid-Year ConferenceSan Antonio, Texas, US2019 Reno, Nevada, US 2024 2018 Denver, Colorado, US 2000, 2007, 2018*, 2026 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, US 1994, 2009 2007, 2017 Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, US 2002, 2017 San Francisco, California, US 1987, 2016 Albuquerque, New Mexico, US 2016 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US 2015 Omaha, Nebraska, US 2015 Jacksonville, Florida, US 2028 2014 Tucson, Arizona, US 2014 1994 Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, US 1982, 1992 1985, 1989, 2013 Tampa, Florida, US 2013 1991 Seattle, Washington, US 1984, 2023 2012 New York City, New York, US 2012 (with Jersey City, NJ) Rochester, New York, US 2022 2011 Toronto, Ontario, CAN 1991, 2011 1997 Washington, DC, US 1988, 1999 2010 Columbus, Ohio, US 2001, 2010 Syracuse, New York, US 2009 San Diego, California, US 2003, 2008 Atlanta, Georgia, US 1993, 2008 Detroit, Michigan, US 1992, 2006 Kansas City, Missouri, US 2006, 2027 Calgary, Alberta, CAN 2005 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US 2005 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1990 Fort Worth, Texas, US 2004 St. Louis, Missouri, US 2004 Phoenix, Arizona, US 2003 Auckland, New Zealand 2002 Houston, Texas, US 1981 2001 Minneapolis, Minnesota, US 2000 Honolulu, Hawaii, US 1999 Los Angeles, California, US 1990 1998 Cleveland, Ohio, US 1998 Nashville, Tennessee, US 1997 Orlando, Florida, US 1996 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US 1996 Lexington, Kentucky, US 1995 Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN 1995 San Antonio, Texas, US 2019 1993 Cincinnati, Ohio, US 1989 1986 Miami, Florida, US 1988 New Orleans, Louisiana, US 1987 Las Vegas, Nevada, US 1986, 2021, 2025 Louisville, Kentucky, US 1985 Chicago, Illinois, US 1983

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